Principle 1 – Educate Peers
Why?
Many medical professionals are still unaware that elimination of viral hepatitis as a public threat by 2030 – specifically control of hepatitis B and elimination of hepatitis C – is both feasible and achievable through a combination of prevention, testing and treatment initiatives. Medical professionals are the gatekeepers of elimination of viral hepatitis and play a powerful role in achieving this goal. This includes specialists who are already working in the field of viral hepatitis through to the wider healthcare community. Ensuring all medical professionals are aware of the actions they can take – no matter how big or small – is key to unlocking their potential.
What?
Eliminating viral hepatitis can reduce new infections of hepatitis B by 90% and hepatitis C by 65% by 2030.[i] This can be achieved through the implementation of WHO recommendations on prevention, testing and treatment. More details on each of these interventions can be found here. Beyond this, elimination efforts will require barriers to access to be addressed, including stigma and discrimination. Findings from a recent survey by World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) and The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) revealed that 34% of those living with hepatitis C and 25% of those living with hepatitis B have been worried that they would be treated differently from other patients by healthcare staff. The full report can be read here
How?
A few quick steps to get started:
- Hold a meeting or informal conversation with colleagues to discuss what more you can do to help viral hepatitis elimination efforts.
- Provide clear and accurate information about viral hepatitis and combat myths and misconceptions among your networks
- Deliver a presentation to colleagues on opportunities for action. Consider inviting an expert guest and discuss the latest clinical and public health developments and innovations in the fight against viral hepatitis. Emphasising that uncomplicated hepatitis B and hepatitis C can be treated at primary care level, increasing access to all.
- Share interesting and relevant media and social media content with your peers, highlighting action on viral hepatitis elimination.
- Create an interdisciplinary group of colleagues and peers to meet regularly and exchange knowledge and experiences
- Write to medical professionals in your local network detailing what actions you are taking towards eliminating viral hepatitis, including access to harm reduction services. Invite them to join you and/or play their own role
Other Resources To Help
- Educate your peers on the key recommendations from WHO guidelines for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, which are the foundation of control and elimination of viral hepatitis. Download copies of the recent guidelines here and share in your clinical practice or workplace
- Use Namibia’s significant milestone towards eliminating vertical mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and viral hepatitis, to show that elimination is possible.
Case Study
